Featured video

Description: A synthetic narcotic, fentanyl has been detected in an increasing number of illicit drug overdose deaths in Metro Vancouver. Many of the people who died were recreational and/or occasional users and don’t appear to have known they were ingesting fentanyl, as it is easily hidden in other drugs.

The Gathering Ireland 2013: A hundred thousand welcomes

A huge number of Canadians trace their ancestry back to Ireland which is inviting them back to their homeland for "The Gathering" in 2013.

Photograph by: Handout photo
, Tourism Ireland

On my first trip to Ireland, the customs officer stamped my passport and said simply, “Welcome home." The greeting brought tears to my eyes, even though I’m fifth generation Irish-Canadian.

People of Irish heritage around the world share a strong sense of belonging and community, and this is the driving force behind The Gathering, Ireland’s yearlong 2013 celebration of its diaspora.

Inspiration for The Gathering came from workshops led by the Irish government.

“The Gathering team started off by going to every county in Ireland and held meetings in community halls to talk to the locals,” said Jayne Shackleford, Tourism Ireland manager. “Everyone realized how important it was to reach out and welcome our global family and friends back home. Each community came up with their own idea for events and this is very much a citizen-led event at a grassroots level. Its unbelievable how it has taken off.”

The Gathering couldn’t have come at a better time for Ireland. Currently there are 70 million people in the Irish diaspora; almost five million reside in Canada. That number is growing fast as the Irish once again leave home in search of employment. Irish visas to Canada alone are expected to rise to over 10,000 by 2014.

“For so many Irish, it’s the bittersweet reality of living someplace other than the treasured isle that feels like home,” said Claire Lang, a first-generation Irish-Canadian living in Toronto. Like many émigrés, Lang often felt there was something missing in her life but couldn’t articulate what it was until she returned to Ireland.

"As much as I love and admire and am proud of Canada, I never felt quite right. It wasn't until I set foot on Irish soil that I had the enormous aha! moment,” said Lang. “There’s nothing like walking on the ground, feeling the wind in your hair, the mist on your face ... even the damp cold in your bones! It is thrilling and affirming. I wish every Irish descendent on earth could experience this gift of re-joining your natural tribe.”

The Gathering kicked off with a spectacular New Year’s Eve street party in Dublin. Over the course of this year, there are 1,700 events showcasing the country, its heritage and its people. There are dozens of clan reunions and festivals large and small showcasing Irish culture, traditions, music, dance, food, sport and, of course, the Irish sense of humour.

Many popular annual cultural events such as the Kinsale Arts Festival, Westport Music Festival, Ennis Street Festival, Galway Arts Festival, Lismore Music Festival and the Guinness Cork Jazz Festival have created special programs to mark The Gathering.

Naturally, St. Patrick’s Day will be a major draw with 40-plus parades taking place throughout the country, including Dublin, which is inviting people to participate in the first March 17 People’s Parade. Mullingar’s parade will be streamed live to the world.

Irish legends will be celebrated on Easter weekend at the The Hill of Slane in Meath with a light show, poetry, music and fireworks re-enacting ancient events and tales, including the lighting of St. Patrick’s Pascal Fire. Later in the summer, the village of Falcarragh, Donegal hosts the Evil Eye Festival exploring Celtic mythology and archaeological sites in the kingdom of Sli Lugdach, a warlord believed to have close to three million descendants.

Sporting events will include the Ocean to City Maritime festival celebrating traditional boat building and maritime culture. The week ends with the An Rás Mór traditional rowing race from Crosshaven to Cork City.

There are plenty of quirky events on the calendar to engage visitors. Sligo holds the World Irish Stew Championship during which professionals and amateurs compete to cook the winning recipe. Mullingar hosts the popular Left Hand Festival in August where all southpaws are offered left-handed hotel bedrooms and invited to the Left Hand Golf Tournament with the promise that nothing will go 'right' over the five-day festival. Genuine gingers are invited to discover their Irish “hair-itage" at the Crosshaven, County Cork Irish Redhead Convention. There will be freckle-counting competitions, photo shoots and “genuine ginger” certificates. Ballymoe, County Galway is hoping to break the world record for the largest gathering of bearded men. Visitors can have their beards judged and enjoy storytelling, poetry and a tour of the bogs.

The Gathering will also be a banner year for Irish music; many Irish musicians living overseas will be returning to participate. County Donegal is hosting the Buncrana Music, Arts & Culture Festival as well as the 11-day Come Gather Round People Sixties Festival in Moville — Europe's biggest event showcasing the music of Bob Dylan and the Beatles.

This year the world’s largest Irish music competition, Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann, moves north to Derry, a historic first. The event will feature eight days in mid-August of music, concerts, ceilidh, parades, pageants and street sessions. The Dingle Tradfest in September is holding the Wanderer’s Return Sessions, hosting musicians from far and wide, and in October the John Dwyer Trad Weekend in Waterford brings together traditional fiddlers and dancers. October is also the time for Sligo Live, a world-renowned six-day festival that draws international performers to this county famed for its musicians and poets. This year's festival includes a spoken-word program in honour of the great William Butler Yeats.

“It’s a special year for anyone to visit whether you have Irish heritage or not. It’s open to everyone who has a passion for Irish music, food and culture. This is a yearlong party and everyone is invited,” Shackleford said.